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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 VMvL1TmrgYL1K7cpkhbwYjHfI5dM7ERPBD7FRrIB9qIm5q7mA7MgK/ISppoA9oYX
 Gq5Q555FewWwTzRD5ySimA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000921895-09-001679.txt : 20090616
<SEC-HEADER>0000921895-09-001679.hdr.sgml : 20090616
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090616171926
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000921895-09-001679
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090427
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090616
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090616

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Izganics Joseph
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001398296

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10204
		FILM NUMBER:		09894756

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		27 HAWKS BRANCH LANE
		CITY:			WHITE
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30184

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CPI CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000025354
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-PERSONAL SERVICES [7200]
		IRS NUMBER:				431256674
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0202

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1706 WASHINGTON AVE
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63103-1790
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3142311575

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1706 WASHINGTON AVE
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63103
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>izg112.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-04-27</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000025354</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CPI CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CPY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001398296</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Izganics Joseph</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>28 HAWKS BRANCH LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WHITE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30184</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>See Explanation of Responses</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock $.40 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The Reporting Person is a member of a Section 13(d) group with respect to the securities of the Issuer that beneficially owns in excess of 10% of the Issuer's outstanding shares of Common Stock. The Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities beneficially owned by the other members of the group except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ Owen S. Littman, as Attorney in Fact for Joseph Izganics</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-06-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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