Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Preferred stock	Preference stock	Common stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	Treasury stock
Balance at at Dec. 31, 2009	$ (3,152)	$ 4	$ 868	$ 323,338	$ 256,133	$ 4,291,393	$ (459,792)	$ (4,415,096)
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	292,379
Other comprehensive loss	(14,014)
Cash dividends
Common ($1.46 per share)	(301,391)					(301,391)
Preference	(65)					65
Issuances of common stock	9,210				(24,039)			33,249
Conversions to common stock	0		(116)		(1,618)			1,734
Stock-based compensation	20,452				20,452
Repurchase of common stock	(100,000)
Balance at at Dec. 31, 2010	(96,581)	4	752	323,338	250,928	4,282,316	(473,806)	(4,480,113)
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	617,480
Other comprehensive loss	(187,839)						(187,839)
Cash dividends
Common ($1.46 per share)	(299,521)					(299,521)
Preference	(58)					58
Issuances of common stock	8,582				(27,283)			35,865
Conversions to common stock	0		(93)		(2,009)			2,102
Stock-based compensation	18,948				18,948
Repurchase of common stock	99,997
Balance at at Dec. 31, 2011	(38,986)	4	659	323,338	240,584	4,600,217	(661,645)	(4,542,143)
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	445,163					445,163
Other comprehensive loss	(19,568)
Cash dividends
Common ($1.46 per share)	(300,527)					(300,527)
Preference	(51)					51
Issuances of common stock	6,373				(34,727)			41,100
Conversions to common stock	0		(11)		(237)			248
Stock-based compensation	18,227				18,227
Repurchase of common stock	0
Balance at at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 110,631	$ 4	$ 648	$ 323,338	$ 223,847	$ 4,744,802	$ (681,213)	$ (4,500,795)