<PAGE>






                               FORM 8-K

                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                        Washington, D.C.  20549



                                              


                            CURRENT REPORT

                PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                    SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934




           Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
                             July 17, 1996



                 THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY               
        (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

   Delaware                   I-79               43-1104396      
(State or other             (Commission           (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of             File Number)          Identification No.)
incorporation)



  611 Olive Street, St. Louis, Missouri                   63101    
(Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip code)



          Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
                             (314) 342-6300                  






                                Page 1

<PAGE>

Item 5.   Other Events.

      On July 17, 1996, The May Department Stores Company, a New
York corporation ("May-NY"), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
the Registrant, completed the sale of $200,000,000 principal amount
of its 8.30% Debentures due July 15, 2026 (the "Securities").   The
payment of principal of and interest on the Securities are
unconditionally guaranteed by the Registrant.  The Securities will
be represented by one or more book-entry securities registered in
the name of the nominee of The Depository Trust Comany, which will
act as the Depositary.   May-NY intends to use the net proceeds
from the sale of the Securities for capital expenditures, working
capital needs, stock repurchases and other general corporate
purposes, including investments and acquisitions.

     The Securities were issued under the terms of an Indenture,
dated as of June 17, 1996, between the Registrant and The First
National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee.


Item 7.   Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)   Exhibits.  The following documents are filed as Exhibits.

                                                         Sequential
                                                         Numbering
                                                         System
Exhibit No.      Exhibit                                 Page Number

      1.1        Underwriting Agreement, dated              5
                 July 12, 1996, among the Registrant,
                 May, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
                 and Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch,
                 Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

      4.1        Specimen of global certificate for         17
                 8.30% Debentures due July 15, 2026













                                Page 2

<PAGE>

                               SIGNATURE



      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



                                 THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY



Dated:  July 18, 1996       By:    /s/  Richard A. Brickson        
                                      Richard A. Brickson
                                      Secretary and Senior Counsel


































                                Page 3

<PAGE>

                           INDEX TO EXHIBITS



                                                         Sequential
                                                         Numbering
                                                         System
Exhibit No.      Exhibit                                 Page Number

      1.1        Underwriting Agreement, dated              5
                 July 12, 1996, among the Registrant,
                 May, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
                 and Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch,
                 Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

      4.1        Specimen of global certificate for         17
                 8.30% Debentures due July 15, 2026


































                                Page 4
<PAGE>

                              Exhibit 1.1




                                      July 12, 1996




Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Merrill Lynch & Co.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

c/o   Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
      1585 Broadway
      New York, NY 10036

Dear Sirs:

      The May Department Stores Company, a New York corporation
(hereinafter called the "Company"), proposes to issue $200,000,000
principal amount of 8.30% Debentures Due 2026 (the "Securities") to
be issued pursuant to the provisions of an Indenture, dated as of
June 17, 1996, between the Company, The May Department Stores
Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Guarantor") and The First
National Bank of Chicago, Trustee.  The Securities are to be
unconditionally guaranteed (the "Guarantees") as to payment of
principal and interest by the Guarantor.  The Company and the
Guarantor have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") a registration statement (file no. 333-6171)
relating to the Securities which has been declared effective by the
Commission; and the Company and the Guarantor have filed or will
file with the Commission a prospectus supplement specifically
relating to the Securities pursuant to Rule 424 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act").  The term
Registration Statement means registration statement no. 333-6171 as
amended to the date of this Agreement.  The term Basic Prospectus
means the prospectus included in the Registration Statement.  The
term Prospectus means the Basic Prospectus together with the
prospectus supplement specifically

                                   1

relating to the Securities, as filed with, or mailed for filing to,
the Commission pursuant to Rule 424.  The term preliminary
prospectus means a preliminary prospectus supplement specifically
relating to the Securities together with the Basic Prospectus.  As
used herein, the terms "Registration Statement", "Basic
Prospectus", "Prospectus" and "preliminary prospectus" shall
include in each case the material, if any, incorporated by
reference therein.

<PAGE>
                                  I.

      The Company hereby agrees to sell to the several Underwriters
named below, and the Underwriters, upon the basis of the
representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the
conditions hereinafter stated, agree to purchase from the Company,
severally and not jointly, the principal amounts of Securities set
forth below opposite their names, at 99.125% of their principal
amount plus accrued interest from July 15, 1996, in each case to
the date of payment and delivery.  Such Securities shall be
unconditionally guaranteed as to the payment of principal and
interest by the Guarantor.

Name                                             Principal Amounts

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated                $100,000,000

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated                                     $100,000,000

Total. . . . . . . . . .                         $200,000,000


                                  II.

      The Company and the Guarantor are advised by you that the
Underwriters propose to make a public offering of their respective
portions of the Securities as soon after this Agreement is entered
into as in your judgment is advisable.  The terms of the public
offering of the Securities are set forth in the Prospectus.

                                   2


                                 III.

      Payment for the Securities shall be made by wire transfer of
same day funds to an account specified by the Company not less than
two full business days prior to the date of payment at 10:00 A.M.,
New York City time, on July 17, 1996, or at such other time on the
same or such other date, not later than July 24, 1996, as shall be
designated by you, upon delivery to you for the respective accounts
of the several Underwriters of the Securities registered in such
names and in such denominations as you shall request in writing not
less than two full business days prior to the date of delivery. The
time and date of such payment and delivery are herein referred to
as the Closing Date.


                                  IV.

      The several obligations of the Underwriters hereunder are
subject to the following conditions:
<PAGE>
           (a)   (i) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement shall be in effect, and no proceedings
for such purpose shall be pending before or threatened by the
Commission, and there shall have been no material adverse change in
the condition of the Guarantor and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, from that set forth in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus, and you shall have received, on the Closing Date, a
certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by executive
officers of the Company and the Guarantor to the foregoing effect. 
The officers making such certificate may rely upon the best of
their knowledge as to proceedings pending or threatened; and

                 (ii)  subsequent to the execution and delivery of
this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date, there shall not have
occurred any downgrading in the rating accorded any of the
Company's or the Guarantor's securities by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Corporation.

           (b)   You shall have received on the Closing Date an
opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, counsel for the
Company and the Guarantor, dated the Closing Date, to the effect
that (i) the Company has been duly organized and is subsisting and
in good standing as a corporation under

                                   3

the laws of the State of New York, (ii) the Guarantor has been duly
organized and is subsisting and in good standing as a corporation
under the laws of the State of Delaware, (iii) the Indenture has
been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the Company
and the Guarantor and is a valid and binding agreement, enforceable
against the Company and the Guarantor in accordance with its terms,
except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by (a)
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar
laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights
generally and (b) general principles of equity (regardless of
whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in
equity), (iv) the Indenture has been qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), (v)
the sale and issuance of the Securities have been duly authorized
by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company, and
the Securities, when executed and authenticated in accordance with
the terms of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the
Underwriters in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will
be valid and binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the
benefit of the Indenture and enforceable in accordance with their
terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited
by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other
similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors'
rights generally and (b) general principles of equity (regardless
of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or
in equity), (vi) the Guarantees have been duly authorized by all
requisite corporate action on the part of the Guarantor and duly

<PAGE>
executed and delivered by the Guarantor and constitute valid and
binding obligations of the Guarantor enforceable in accordance with
their terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be
limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium
and other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to
creditors' rights generally and (b) general principles of equity
(regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding
at law or in equity), (vii) this Agreement has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the
Guarantor, and (vi) the Registration Statement,  as of its
effective date, and the Basic Prospectus, as supplemented by the
prospectus supplement, as of the date of the prospectus supplement,
appeared on their face to be appropriately responsive, in all
material respects relevant to the offering of the Securities, to
the requirements of the Act, and the applicable rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder.

                                   4

      In addition, such counsel shall state that no facts have come
to the attention of such counsel in the course of their review that
have led them to believe that, insofar as relevant to the offering
of the Securities, the Registration Statement, at the time it
became effective, contained an untrue statement of a material fact
or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or that
the Basic Prospectus, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement,
on the date of the prospectus supplement, contained an untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  Such
opinion may state that such counsel do not assume any
responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the
statements contained in the Registration Statement, any post-
effective amendment thereof, the Basic Prospectus or the prospectus
supplement except for those made under the captions "Description of
Debt Securities" in the Basic Prospectus and "Description of
Securities" and "Underwriters" in the prospectus supplement insofar
as they relate to provisions of documents therein described and
that they do not express any opinion or belief as to the financial
statements, schedules or other financial data included or
incorporated by reference in or excluded from the Registration
Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto, the Basic
Prospectus or the prospectus supplement, or as to the statement of
the eligibility and qualification of the Trustee under the
Indenture under which the Securities are being issued.

           (c)   You shall have received on the Closing Date an
opinion of Louis J. Garr, Jr.,. Esq., General Counsel for the
Company and the Guarantor, dated the Closing Date, to the effect
that (i) each of the Company and the Guarantor is duly qualified to
transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in
which the conduct of its business or the ownership or leasing of

<PAGE>
property requires such qualification, (ii) the performance of this
Agreement will not contravene any provision of the certificate of
incorporation or by-laws of the Company or the Guarantor or, to the
actual knowledge of such counsel, any agreement or other instrument
binding upon either the Company or the Guarantor and no consent,
approval or authorization of any governmental body is required for
the performance of this Agreement, except such as specified and
have been obtained, and such consents, approvals or authorizations
as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in
connection with the purchase and distribution of the Securities by
the Underwriters, and (iii) the documents

                                   5

filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act") incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, when
they were filed with the Commission, complied as to form in all
material respects with the requirements of the Act or the Exchange
Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder; and he has no reason to believe that any of such
documents when so filed contained an untrue statement of a material
fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make
the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made when such documents were so filed, not
misleading.  Such opinion may state that such counsel does not
express any opinion or belief as to the financial statements or
other financial data contained therein.

           (d)   You shall have received on the Closing Date from
Davis Polk & Wardwell, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion
or opinions, dated the Closing Date, with respect to the validity
of the Indenture, the Securities, the Guarantees, this Agreement,
the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, and other related
matters as you may reasonably request, and such counsel shall have
received such papers and information as they may reasonably request
to enable them to pass upon such matters.

           (e)   You shall have received on the Closing Date, a
letter dated the Closing date, in form and substance satisfactory
to you, from Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants,
containing statements and information of the type ordinarily
included in accountants' "comfort letters" to underwriters with
respect to the financial statements and certain financial
information contained in or incorporated by reference in the
Prospectus.


                                  V.

      In further consideration of the agreements of the Underwriters
herein contained, the Company and the Guarantor, jointly and
severally covenant as follows:


<PAGE>

      (a)  To furnish to you without charge three conformed copies
of the Registration Statement (including exhibits and documents
incorporated by reference) and to each other Underwriter a copy of
the Registration Statement (without exhibits but including
documents incorporated by reference) and, during the period
mentioned in paragraph (c) below, to 

                                   6

furnish to each Underwriter as many copies of the Prospectus and
any supplements and amendments thereto and any documents
incorporated by reference as you may reasonably request.  The terms
"supplement" and "amendment" or "amend" as used in this Agreement
include or refer to all documents filed by the Company and/or the
Guarantor with the Commission subsequent to the date of the Basic
Prospectus pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act which are deemed to be incorporated by reference in
the Prospectus from the date of filing such documents in accordance
with Form S-3.

      (b)  Before amending or supplementing the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus, to furnish you a copy of each such
proposed amendment or supplement.

      (c)  If, during such period after the first date of the public
offering of the Securities as in the opinion of your counsel the
Prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection with
sales by an Underwriter or dealer, any event shall occur as a
result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the
Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser,
not misleading, or if it is necessary to amend or supplement the
Prospectus to comply with law, forthwith to prepare and furnish, at
its own expense, to the Underwriters and to the dealers (whose
names and addresses you will furnish to the Company) to which
Securities may have been sold by you on behalf of the Underwriters
and to any other dealers upon request, either amendments or
supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in the
Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of
the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser,
be misleading or so that the Prospectus will comply with law.

      (d)  To endeavor to qualify the Securities for offer and sale
under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as you
shall reasonably request and to pay all expenses (including fees
not exceeding $10,000 and disbursements of counsel) in connection
with such qualification and in connection with the determination of
the eligibility of the Securities for investment under the laws of
such jurisdictions as you may designate.

      (e)  To make generally available to the Company's security
holders as soon as practicable an earnings statement covering the

<PAGE>
twelve month period beginning after the date of this Agreement,
which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act.

                                   7

      (f)  During the period beginning on the date of this Agreement
and continuing to and including the Closing Date, not to offer,
sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any debt securities
of the Company substantially similar to the Securities, without
your prior written consent.

                                  VI.

      The Company and the Guarantor, jointly and severally,
represent and warrant to each Underwriter that (i) each document,
if any, filed or to be filed pursuant to the Exchange Act and
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus complied or will comply
when so filed in all material respects with such Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder, (ii) each part of the Registration
Statement, when such part became effective, did not contain any
untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, (iii) each preliminary prospectus, if any,
filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act complied when so filed in
all material respects with such Act and the applicable rules and
regulations thereunder, (iv) the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus comply and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable,
will comply in all material respects with the Act and the
applicable rules and regulations thereunder and (v) the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus do not contain and, as
amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
except that these representations and warranties do not apply to
statements or omissions in the Registration Statement, any
preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus based upon information
furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of any
Underwriter expressly for use therein.

      The Company and the Guarantor, jointly and severally, agree to
indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and each person, if
any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either
Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and
against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities caused
by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (if
used within the period set forth in paragraph (c) of Article V
hereof and as amended or supplemented if the Company or the
Guarantor shall have furnished any amendments or supplements
thereto) or any preliminary prospectus, or caused by any omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
                                   8

<PAGE>
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement or
omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon
information furnished in writing to the Company by any Underwriter
expressly for use therein; provided that the foregoing
indemnification with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall
not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter (or to the benefit of
any person controlling such Underwriter) to the extent that any
such loss, claim, damage or liability of such Underwriter results
from the fact that such Underwriter sold Securities to a person to
whom there was not sent or given, if required by the Act, at or
prior to the written confirmation of the sale of such Securities to
such person, a copy of the Prospectus (excluding documents
incorporated by reference) correcting the untrue statement or
omission of a material fact if the Company has previously furnished
copies thereof to such Underwriter.

      Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to
indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Guarantor, their
respective directors, their respective officers who sign the
Registration Statement and any person controlling the Company or
the Guarantor to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from
the Company and the Guarantor to each Underwriter, but only with
reference to information relating to such Underwriter furnished in
writing by or on behalf of such Underwriter through you expressly
for use in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any
preliminary prospectus.

      In case any proceeding (including any governmental
investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect
of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to either of the two
preceding paragraphs, such person (the "indemnified party") shall
promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be
sought (the "indemnifying party") in writing and the indemnifying
party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the
indemnified party and any others the indemnifying party may
designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and
disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding.  In any
such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to
retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel
shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the
indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually
agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties
to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include
both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and
representation of both parties by the same counsel would be
inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests
between them.  It is understood that the indemnifying party shall

                                   9


<PAGE>
not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in
the same jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable fees and
expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local
counsel necessary for appearing in any proceeding) for all such
indemnified parties and that all such fees and expenses shall be
reimbursed as they are incurred.  Such firm shall be designated in
writing by you in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to the
second preceding paragraph and by the Company in the case of
parties indemnified pursuant to the immediately preceding
paragraph.  The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any
settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent
but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment
for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the
indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason
of such settlement or judgment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing
sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested
an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees
and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the third sentence of
this paragraph, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be
liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its
written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30
business days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the
aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have
reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request
prior to the date of such settlement.  No indemnifying party shall,
without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect
any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect
of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and
indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified
party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of
such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the
subject matter of such proceeding.

      If the indemnification provided for in this Article VI is
unavailable to an indemnified party under the second or third
paragraphs hereof or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims,
damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each indemnifying
party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party
as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in
such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits
received by the Company and the Guarantor on the one hand and the
Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Securities or
(ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not
permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate
to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i)
above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantor
on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other in connection
with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant

                                  10


<PAGE>
equitable considerations.  The relative benefits received by the
Company and the Guarantor on the one hand and the Underwriters on
the other in connection with the offering of the Securities shall
be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds
from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the
Company bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions
received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the
table on the cover page of the Prospectus.  The relative fault of
the Company and the Guarantor on the one hand and of the
Underwriters on the other shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statements
of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a
material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by
the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent, knowledge,
access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission.

      The Company, the Guarantor and the Underwriters agree that it
would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this
Article VI were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the
Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any
other method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding
paragraph.  The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as
a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to
in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include,
subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in
connection with investigating or defending any such action or
claims.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article VI, no
Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of
the amount by which the total price at which the Securities
underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to
the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such
Underwriters has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. 
No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the
meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.  The Underwriters' obligations to contribute
pursuant to this Article VI are several in proportion to their
respective underwriting percentages (as defined in the Agreement
Among Underwriters) and not joint.

      The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this
Article VI and the representations and warranties of the Company
and the Guarantor in this Agreement shall remain operative and in
full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this
Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of any
Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter or by or on

                                  11


<PAGE>
behalf of the Company or the Guarantor, their respective directors
or officers or any person controlling the Company or the Guarantor
and (iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the Securities.


                                 VII.

      This Agreement shall be subject to termination in your
absolute discretion, by notice given to the Company, if prior to
the Closing Date (i) trading in securities generally on the New
York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange shall have been
suspended or materially limited, (ii) a general moratorium on
commercial banking activities in New York shall have been declared
by either Federal or New York State authorities or (iii) there
shall have occurred any material outbreak or escalation of
hostilities or any material adverse change in financial markets or
any calamity or crisis the effect of which is such as to make it,
in your judgment, impracticable to market the Securities.


                                 VIII.

      If any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to
purchase Securities which it or they have agreed to purchase
hereunder, and the aggregate principal amount of Securities which
such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or
refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth of the aggregate
principal amount of the Securities, the other Underwriters shall be
obligated severally in the proportions which the amounts of
Securities set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting
Underwriters, or in such other proportions as you may specify, to
purchase the Securities which such defaulting Underwriter or
Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase; provided
that in no event shall the principal amount of Securities which any
Underwriter has agreed to purchase pursuant to Article I hereof be
increased pursuant to this Article VIII by an amount in excess of
one-ninth of such principal amount of Securities without the
written consent of such Underwriter.  If any Underwriter or
Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Securities which it
or they have agreed to purchase hereunder, and the aggregate
principal amount of Securities with respect to which such default
occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate principal amount of
the Securities and arrangements satisfactory to you and the Company
for the purchase of such Securities are not

                                  12

made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement will
terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting
Underwriter or of the Company.  In any such case either you or the
Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in
no event for longer than seven days, in order that the required
changes, if any, in the Registration Statement and in the

<PAGE>
Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be
effected.  Any action taken under this paragraph shall not relieve
any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default
of such Underwriter under this Agreement.

      If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters, or
any of them, because of any failure or refusal on the part of the
Company or the Guarantor to comply with the terms or to fulfill any
of the conditions of this Agreement, or if for any reason the
Company or the Guarantor shall be unable to perform its obligations
under this agreement, the Company and the Guarantor will reimburse
the Underwriters or such Underwriters as have so terminated this
Agreement with respect to themselves, severally, for all out-of-
pocket expenses (including the fees and disbursements of their
counsel) reasonably incurred by such Underwriters in connection
with the Securities.

      This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the
signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

                                  13

      This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

                                 Very truly yours,

                                 THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY,
                                      a New York corporation

                                 By:  ____________________________


                                 THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY,
                                      a Delaware corporation

                                 By:  ____________________________

Accepted, July 12, 1996:

MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

Acting severally on behalf of themselves

By MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED


      By: _____________________________


                                  14

<PAGE>
                              Exhibit 4.1

This Security is a Book-Entry Security within the meaning of the
Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of
the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary.  This Security is
exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a person
other than the Depositary or its nominee only in the limited
circumstances described in the Indenture and may not be transferred
except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary
or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another
nominee of the Depositary.

Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized
representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York
corporation ("DTC"), to the Company (as defined below) or its agent
for registration of transfer, exchange, or payment, and any
certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in
such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of
DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity
as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY
TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR
TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof,
Cede & Co., has an interest herein. 

EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THE INDENTURE, THIS SECURITY MAY BE
TRANSFERRED, IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART, ONLY TO A NOMINEE OF THE
DEPOSITARY, OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, TO THE DEPOSITARY OR
TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR
DEPOSITARY.

                   THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY

                       8.30% DEBENTURE DUE 2026

                                                      CUSIP 577778 BA 0

                                                           $200,000,000
R-1

      THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY, a corporation duly
organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York
(herein called the "Company", which term includes any successor
corporation under the Indenture herein referred to), for value
received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered
assigns, the principal sum of TWO HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS
($200,000,000) on July 15, 2026, and to pay interest thereon from
July 15, 1996 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to
which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on
January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing January 15, 1997,
at the rate of 8.30%  per annum, until the principal hereof is
fully paid or made available for payment.  The interest so payable,
and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment
Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in

<PAGE>
whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is
registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for
such interest, which shall be the first day of January or July
(whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding
such Interest Payment Date.  Any such interest not so punctually
paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the
Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the
Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special
Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed
by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of
Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such
Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful
manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities
exchange on which the Debentures of this series may be listed, and
upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more
fully provided in such Indenture.

                                   1

      Payment of the principal of and interest on this Security will
be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that
purpose in The City of New York, New York, in such coin or currency
of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal
tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however,
that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made
by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as
such address shall appear in the Security Register.

      REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE TO THE FURTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS
SECURITY SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF, WHICH FURTHER PROVISIONS
SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS IF SET FORTH AT THIS
PLACE.

      Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been
executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual
signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under
the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Instrument to
be duly executed under its corporate seal.

Dated: July 17, 1996

                                 THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY
                                      a New York corporation
[Seal]
                      
                                 By:________________________________
                                      John L. Dunham
                                      Executive Vice President and
                                      Chief Financial Officer


<PAGE>


Attest: ____________________________
           Richard A. Brickson
           Secretary


This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein
issued under the within-mentioned Indenture.

                                 THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, 
                                      as Trustee

                                 By: _______________________________
                                            Authorized Officer




                                   2




                         REVERSE OF DEBENTURE

                   THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY
                       8.30% Debenture Due 2026

      This Security is one of a duly authorized series of guaranteed
debt securities of the Company (herein called the "Debentures"),
issued under an Indenture, dated as of June 17, 1996 (herein called
the "Indenture"), among the Company, The May Department Stores
Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Guarantor") and The First
National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee",
which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture),
which provides for the issuance by the Company from time to time of
debt securities of the Company (herein called the "Debt
Securities") in one or more series, to which Indenture and all
indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a
statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties
and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the
Holders of the Debentures and of the terms upon which the
Debentures are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered.  This
Debenture is one of the series designated on the face hereof,
limited in aggregate principal amount to $200,000,000.

      This Debenture is subject to redemption, at the option of the
Company upon at least 30 and not more than 60 days' notice by mail,
at any time on or after July 15, 2006 and prior to maturity, as a
whole, or from time to time in part, at prices equal to the
percentages of principal amount set forth below, during the twelve
month period beginning July 15 of the years indicated:
<PAGE>

               Redemption                        Redemption
Year             Price            Year             Price    
2006             104.150          2011             102.075
2007             103.735          2012             101.660
2008             103.320          2013             101.245
2009             102.905          2014             100.830
2010             102.490          2015             100.415

and at 100% if redeemed on or after July 15, 2016, together in each
case, with interest accrued and unpaid to the date fixed for
redemption (subject to the right of Holders of record on relevant
Record Dates to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date).

      If an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures shall
occur and be continuing, the principal amount of the Debentures may
be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect
provided in the Indenture.

      The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein
provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights
and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the
Debentures under the Indenture and the waiver of compliance by the
Company with certain provisions of the Indenture at any time with
the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Debt Securities at the time Outstanding (or, in case
less than all of the several series of Debt Securities then
Outstanding are affected, of the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Debt Securities at the time Outstanding of each
affected series).  The Indenture also permits the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Debentures at the time
Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all the Debentures, to
waive certain past defaults under the Indenture and their
consequences.  Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this
Debenture shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon
all future Holders of this Debenture and of any Debenture issued
upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or
in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver
is made upon this Debenture.

      The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time
of (1) the entire indebtedness of the Debentures and (2) certain
restrictive covenants and 

                                   3



certain Events of Default applicable to the Debentures, upon
compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth in the
Indenture and in an Officers' Certificate issued pursuant to the
Indenture. 


<PAGE>
      As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture,
any Holder of these Debentures shall not have the right to
institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to
the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or
for any other remedy hereunder, unless such Holder shall have
previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event
of Default with respect to the Debentures, the Holders of not less
than 25% in principal amount of the Debentures at the time
outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to
institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as
trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity and the
Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding a
direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to
institute any such proceedings, for 60 days after receipt of such
notice, request and offer of indemnity.

      No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this
Debenture or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation
of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the
principal of and interest on this Debenture at the times, place and
rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

      As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain
limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Debenture is
registrable in the Debenture Register, upon surrender of this
Debenture for registration of transfer at the office or agency of
the Company maintained for that purpose in The City of New York,
New York, or at any other office or agency designated for that
purpose by the Company pursuant to the Indenture, duly endorsed by,
or  accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company and the Debenture Registrar duly
executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in
writing, and thereupon one or more new Debentures, of authorized
denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be
issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

      The Debentures are issuable only in registered form without
coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any multiple thereof.  As
provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, the Debentures are exchangeable for a like
aggregate principal amount of Debentures of a different authorized
denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same. 

      No service charge shall be made for any such registration of
transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in
connection therewith.

      Prior to due presentment of this Debenture for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or
the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Debenture is

<PAGE>

registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not
this Debenture be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor
any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

      All terms used in this Debenture which are defined in the
Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the
Indenture.


                                   4


GUARANTEE

      For good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is
acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the Guarantor
hereby unconditionally guarantees the due and punctual payment of
the principal of, sinking fund payment, if any, premium, if any,
and interest on, and any Redemption Price with respect to this
Debenture, when and as the same shall become due and payable,
whether at maturity, upon acceleration or redemption or otherwise,
in accordance with the terms of this Debenture and the Indenture.



                                  THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY
                                        a Delaware corporation
[Seal]

                                  By: _______________________________
                                        John L. Dunham
                                        Executive Vice President and
                                        Chief Financial Officer


Attest: ____________________________
               Richard A. Brickson
               Secretary


                                   5











<PAGE>

                         (FORM OF ASSIGNMENT)

                             ABBREVIATIONS

      The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on
the face of this Debenture, shall be construed as though they were
written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

TEN COM - as tenants in common
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties
JT TEN  - as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as
tenants in common

UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - ______(Cust) Custodian ______(Minor)
under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act ___________________ (State)

   Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above
list.

                              ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED ___________________________ hereby sell(s),
assign(s) and transfer(s) unto 


                                 PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
                                         IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

(Please Print or Typewrite Name and Address of Assignee)

the within Debenture and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting
and appointing ___________________________________________ Attorney to transfer
said Debenture on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in
the premises.                     


Dated:                            _________________________________




Notice: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as
written upon the face of this Debenture in every particular, without
alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

Signature Guaranteed: _________________________________________________

Notice: Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution"
that is a member or participant in a "signature guarantee program" (e.g., the
Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the Stock Exchange Medallion
Program or the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program).


                                   6
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "MAY DEPARTMENT STORES CO", "cik": "0000063416", "assigned-sic": "5311", "irs-number": "431104396", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0201"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-00079", "film-number": "96596370"}, "business-address": {"street1": "611 OLIVE ST", "city": "ST LOUIS", "state": "MO", "zip": "63101", "phone": "3143426300"}}
FORM 8-K

                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                        Washington, D.C.  20549

                                              

                            CURRENT REPORT

                PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                    SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

           Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
                             July 17, 1996

                 THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY               
        (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

   Delaware                   I-79               43-1104396      
(State or other             (Commission           (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of             File Number)          Identification No.)
incorporation)

  611 Olive Street, St. Louis, Missouri                   63101    
(Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip code)

          Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
                             (314) 342-6300                  

                                Page 1
Item 5.   Other Events.

      On July 17, 1996, The May Department Stores Company, a New
York corporation ("May-NY"), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
the Registrant, completed the sale of $200,000,000 principal amount
of its 8.30% Debentures due July 15, 2026 (the "Securities").   The
payment of principal of and interest on the Securities are
unconditionally guaranteed by the Registrant.  The Securities will
be represented by one or more book-entry securities registered in
the name of the nominee of The Depository Trust Comany, which will
act as the Depositary.   May-NY intends to use the net proceeds
from the sale of the Securities for capital expenditures, working
capital needs, stock repurchases and other general corporate
purposes, including investments and acquisitions.

     The Securities were issued under the terms of an Indenture,
dated as of June 17, 1996, between the Registrant and The First
National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee.

Item 7.   Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)   Exhibits.  The following documents are filed as Exhibits.

                                                         Sequential
                                                         Numbering
                                                         System
Exhibit No.      Exhibit                                 Page Number

      1.1        Underwriting Agreement, dated              5
                 July 12, 1996, among the Registrant,
                 May, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
                 and Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch,
                 Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

      4.1        Specimen of global certificate for         17
                 8.30% Debentures due July 15, 2026

                                Page 2
SIGNATURE

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                 THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY

Dated:  July 18, 1996       By:    /s/  Richard A. Brickson        
                                      Richard A. Brickson
                                      Secretary and Senior Counsel

                                Page 3
INDEX TO EXHIBITS

                                                         Sequential
                                                         Numbering
                                                         System
Exhibit No.      Exhibit                                 Page Number

      1.1        Underwriting Agreement, dated              5
                 July 12, 1996, among the Registrant,
                 May, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
                 and Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch,
                 Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

      4.1        Specimen of global certificate for         17
                 8.30% Debentures due July 15, 2026

                                Page 4
Exhibit 1.1

                                      July 12, 1996

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Merrill Lynch & Co.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

c/o   Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
      1585 Broadway
      New York, NY 10036

Dear Sirs:

      The May Department Stores Company, a New York corporation
(hereinafter called the "Company"), proposes to issue $200,000,000
principal amount of 8.30% Debentures Due 2026 (the "Securities") to
be issued pursuant to the provisions of an Indenture, dated as of
June 17, 1996, between the Company, The May Department Stores
Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Guarantor") and The First
National Bank of Chicago, Trustee.  The Securities are to be
unconditionally guaranteed (the "Guarantees") as to payment of
principal and interest by the Guarantor.  The Company and the
Guarantor have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") a registration statement (file no. 333-6171)
relating to the Securities which has been declared effective by the
Commission; and the Company and the Guarantor have filed or will
file with the Commission a prospectus supplement specifically
relating to the Securities pursuant to Rule 424 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act").  The term
Registration Statement means registration statement no. 333-6171 as
amended to the date of this Agreement.  The term Basic Prospectus
means the prospectus included in the Registration Statement.  The
term Prospectus means the Basic Prospectus together with the
prospectus supplement specifically

                                   1

relating to the Securities, as filed with, or mailed for filing to,
the Commission pursuant to Rule 424.  The term preliminary
prospectus means a preliminary prospectus supplement specifically
relating to the Securities together with the Basic Prospectus.  As
used herein, the terms "Registration Statement", "Basic
Prospectus", "Prospectus" and "preliminary prospectus" shall
include in each case the material, if any, incorporated by
reference therein.
I.

      The Company hereby agrees to sell to the several Underwriters
named below, and the Underwriters, upon the basis of the
representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the
conditions hereinafter stated, agree to purchase from the Company,
severally and not jointly, the principal amounts of Securities set
forth below opposite their names, at 99.125% of their principal
amount plus accrued interest from July 15, 1996, in each case to
the date of payment and delivery.  Such Securities shall be
unconditionally guaranteed as to the payment of principal and
interest by the Guarantor.

Name                                             Principal Amounts

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated                $100,000,000

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated                                     $100,000,000

Total. . . . . . . . . .                         $200,000,000

                                  II.

      The Company and the Guarantor are advised by you that the
Underwriters propose to make a public offering of their respective
portions of the Securities as soon after this Agreement is entered
into as in your judgment is advisable.  The terms of the public
offering of the Securities are set forth in the Prospectus.

                                   2

                                 III.

      Payment for the Securities shall be made by wire transfer of
same day funds to an account specified by the Company not less than
two full business days prior to the date of payment at 10:00 A.M.,
New York City time, on July 17, 1996, or at such other time on the
same or such other date, not later than July 24, 1996, as shall be
designated by you, upon delivery to you for the respective accounts
of the several Underwriters of the Securities registered in such
names and in such denominations as you shall request in writing not
less than two full business days prior to the date of delivery. The
time and date of such payment and delivery are herein referred to
as the Closing Date.

                                  IV.

      The several obligations of the Underwriters hereunder are
subject to the following conditions:
(a)   (i) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement shall be in effect, and no proceedings
for such purpose shall be pending before or threatened by the
Commission, and there shall have been no material adverse change in
the condition of the Guarantor and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, from that set forth in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus, and you shall have received, on the Closing Date, a
certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by executive
officers of the Company and the Guarantor to the foregoing effect. 
The officers making such certificate may rely upon the best of
their knowledge as to proceedings pending or threatened; and

                 (ii)  subsequent to the execution and delivery of
this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date, there shall not have
occurred any downgrading in the rating accorded any of the
Company's or the Guarantor's securities by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Corporation.

           (b)   You shall have received on the Closing Date an
opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, counsel for the
Company and the Guarantor, dated the Closing Date, to the effect
that (i) the Company has been duly organized and is subsisting and
in good standing as a corporation under

                                   3

the laws of the State of New York, (ii) the Guarantor has been duly
organized and is subsisting and in good standing as a corporation
under the laws of the State of Delaware, (iii) the Indenture has
been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the Company
and the Guarantor and is a valid and binding agreement, enforceable
against the Company and the Guarantor in accordance with its terms,
except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by (a)
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar
laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights
generally and (b) general principles of equity (regardless of
whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in
equity), (iv) the Indenture has been qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), (v)
the sale and issuance of the Securities have been duly authorized
by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company, and
the Securities, when executed and authenticated in accordance with
the terms of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the
Underwriters in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will
be valid and binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the
benefit of the Indenture and enforceable in accordance with their
terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited
by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other
similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors'
rights generally and (b) general principles of equity (regardless
of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or
in equity), (vi) the Guarantees have been duly authorized by all
requisite corporate action on the part of the Guarantor and duly
executed and delivered by the Guarantor and constitute valid and
binding obligations of the Guarantor enforceable in accordance with
their terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be
limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium
and other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to
creditors' rights generally and (b) general principles of equity
(regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding
at law or in equity), (vii) this Agreement has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the
Guarantor, and (vi) the Registration Statement,  as of its
effective date, and the Basic Prospectus, as supplemented by the
prospectus supplement, as of the date of the prospectus supplement,
appeared on their face to be appropriately responsive, in all
material respects relevant to the offering of the Securities, to
the requirements of the Act, and the applicable rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder.

                                   4

      In addition, such counsel shall state that no facts have come
to the attention of such counsel in the course of their review that
have led them to believe that, insofar as relevant to the offering
of the Securities, the Registration Statement, at the time it
became effective, contained an untrue statement of a material fact
or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or that
the Basic Prospectus, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement,
on the date of the prospectus supplement, contained an untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  Such
opinion may state that such counsel do not assume any
responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the
statements contained in the Registration Statement, any post-
effective amendment thereof, the Basic Prospectus or the prospectus
supplement except for those made under the captions "Description of
Debt Securities" in the Basic Prospectus and "Description of
Securities" and "Underwriters" in the prospectus supplement insofar
as they relate to provisions of documents therein described and
that they do not express any opinion or belief as to the financial
statements, schedules or other financial data included or
incorporated by reference in or excluded from the Registration
Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto, the Basic
Prospectus or the prospectus supplement, or as to the statement of
the eligibility and qualification of the Trustee under the
Indenture under which the Securities are being issued.

           (c)   You shall have received on the Closing Date an
opinion of Louis J. Garr, Jr.,. Esq., General Counsel for the
Company and the Guarantor, dated the Closing Date, to the effect
that (i) each of the Company and the Guarantor is duly qualified to
transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in
which the conduct of its business or the ownership or leasing of
property requires such qualification, (ii) the performance of this
Agreement will not contravene any provision of the certificate of
incorporation or by-laws of the Company or the Guarantor or, to the
actual knowledge of such counsel, any agreement or other instrument
binding upon either the Company or the Guarantor and no consent,
approval or authorization of any governmental body is required for
the performance of this Agreement, except such as specified and
have been obtained, and such consents, approvals or authorizations
as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in
connection with the purchase and distribution of the Securities by
the Underwriters, and (iii) the documents

                                   5

filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act") incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, when
they were filed with the Commission, complied as to form in all
material respects with the requirements of the Act or the Exchange
Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder; and he has no reason to believe that any of such
documents when so filed contained an untrue statement of a material
fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make
the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made when such documents were so filed, not
misleading.  Such opinion may state that such counsel does not
express any opinion or belief as to the financial statements or
other financial data contained therein.

           (d)   You shall have received on the Closing Date from
Davis Polk & Wardwell, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion
or opinions, dated the Closing Date, with respect to the validity
of the Indenture, the Securities, the Guarantees, this Agreement,
the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, and other related
matters as you may reasonably request, and such counsel shall have
received such papers and information as they may reasonably request
to enable them to pass upon such matters.

           (e)   You shall have received on the Closing Date, a
letter dated the Closing date, in form and substance satisfactory
to you, from Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants,
containing statements and information of the type ordinarily
included in accountants' "comfort letters" to underwriters with
respect to the financial statements and certain financial
information contained in or incorporated by reference in the
Prospectus.

                                  V.

      In further consideration of the agreements of the Underwriters
herein contained, the Company and the Guarantor, jointly and
severally covenant as follows:
(a)  To furnish to you without charge three conformed copies
of the Registration Statement (including exhibits and documents
incorporated by reference) and to each other Underwriter a copy of
the Registration Statement (without exhibits but including
documents incorporated by reference) and, during the period
mentioned in paragraph (c) below, to 

                                   6

furnish to each Underwriter as many copies of the Prospectus and
any supplements and amendments thereto and any documents
incorporated by reference as you may reasonably request.  The terms
"supplement" and "amendment" or "amend" as used in this Agreement
include or refer to all documents filed by the Company and/or the
Guarantor with the Commission subsequent to the date of the Basic
Prospectus pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act which are deemed to be incorporated by reference in
the Prospectus from the date of filing such documents in accordance
with Form S-3.

      (b)  Before amending or supplementing the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus, to furnish you a copy of each such
proposed amendment or supplement.

      (c)  If, during such period after the first date of the public
offering of the Securities as in the opinion of your counsel the
Prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection with
sales by an Underwriter or dealer, any event shall occur as a
result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the
Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser,
not misleading, or if it is necessary to amend or supplement the
Prospectus to comply with law, forthwith to prepare and furnish, at
its own expense, to the Underwriters and to the dealers (whose
names and addresses you will furnish to the Company) to which
Securities may have been sold by you on behalf of the Underwriters
and to any other dealers upon request, either amendments or
supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in the
Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of
the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser,
be misleading or so that the Prospectus will comply with law.

      (d)  To endeavor to qualify the Securities for offer and sale
under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as you
shall reasonably request and to pay all expenses (including fees
not exceeding $10,000 and disbursements of counsel) in connection
with such qualification and in connection with the determination of
the eligibility of the Securities for investment under the laws of
such jurisdictions as you may designate.

      (e)  To make generally available to the Company's security
holders as soon as practicable an earnings statement covering the
twelve month period beginning after the date of this Agreement,
which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act.

                                   7

      (f)  During the period beginning on the date of this Agreement
and continuing to and including the Closing Date, not to offer,
sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any debt securities
of the Company substantially similar to the Securities, without
your prior written consent.

                                  VI.

      The Company and the Guarantor, jointly and severally,
represent and warrant to each Underwriter that (i) each document,
if any, filed or to be filed pursuant to the Exchange Act and
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus complied or will comply
when so filed in all material respects with such Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder, (ii) each part of the Registration
Statement, when such part became effective, did not contain any
untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, (iii) each preliminary prospectus, if any,
filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act complied when so filed in
all material respects with such Act and the applicable rules and
regulations thereunder, (iv) the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus comply and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable,
will comply in all material respects with the Act and the
applicable rules and regulations thereunder and (v) the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus do not contain and, as
amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
except that these representations and warranties do not apply to
statements or omissions in the Registration Statement, any
preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus based upon information
furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of any
Underwriter expressly for use therein.

      The Company and the Guarantor, jointly and severally, agree to
indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and each person, if
any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either
Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and
against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities caused
by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (if
used within the period set forth in paragraph (c) of Article V
hereof and as amended or supplemented if the Company or the
Guarantor shall have furnished any amendments or supplements
thereto) or any preliminary prospectus, or caused by any omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
                                   8
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement or
omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon
information furnished in writing to the Company by any Underwriter
expressly for use therein; provided that the foregoing
indemnification with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall
not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter (or to the benefit of
any person controlling such Underwriter) to the extent that any
such loss, claim, damage or liability of such Underwriter results
from the fact that such Underwriter sold Securities to a person to
whom there was not sent or given, if required by the Act, at or
prior to the written confirmation of the sale of such Securities to
such person, a copy of the Prospectus (excluding documents
incorporated by reference) correcting the untrue statement or
omission of a material fact if the Company has previously furnished
copies thereof to such Underwriter.

      Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to
indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Guarantor, their
respective directors, their respective officers who sign the
Registration Statement and any person controlling the Company or
the Guarantor to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from
the Company and the Guarantor to each Underwriter, but only with
reference to information relating to such Underwriter furnished in
writing by or on behalf of such Underwriter through you expressly
for use in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any
preliminary prospectus.

      In case any proceeding (including any governmental
investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect
of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to either of the two
preceding paragraphs, such person (the "indemnified party") shall
promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be
sought (the "indemnifying party") in writing and the indemnifying
party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the
indemnified party and any others the indemnifying party may
designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and
disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding.  In any
such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to
retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel
shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the
indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually
agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties
to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include
both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and
representation of both parties by the same counsel would be
inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests
between them.  It is understood that the indemnifying party shall

                                   9
not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in
the same jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable fees and
expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local
counsel necessary for appearing in any proceeding) for all such
indemnified parties and that all such fees and expenses shall be
reimbursed as they are incurred.  Such firm shall be designated in
writing by you in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to the
second preceding paragraph and by the Company in the case of
parties indemnified pursuant to the immediately preceding
paragraph.  The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any
settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent
but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment
for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the
indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason
of such settlement or judgment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing
sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested
an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees
and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the third sentence of
this paragraph, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be
liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its
written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30
business days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the
aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have
reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request
prior to the date of such settlement.  No indemnifying party shall,
without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect
any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect
of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and
indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified
party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of
such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the
subject matter of such proceeding.

      If the indemnification provided for in this Article VI is
unavailable to an indemnified party under the second or third
paragraphs hereof or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims,
damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each indemnifying
party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party
as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in
such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits
received by the Company and the Guarantor on the one hand and the
Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Securities or
(ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not
permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate
to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i)
above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantor
on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other in connection
with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant

                                  10
equitable considerations.  The relative benefits received by the
Company and the Guarantor on the one hand and the Underwriters on
the other in connection with the offering of the Securities shall
be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds
from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the
Company bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions
received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the
table on the cover page of the Prospectus.  The relative fault of
the Company and the Guarantor on the one hand and of the
Underwriters on the other shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statements
of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a
material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by
the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent, knowledge,
access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission.

      The Company, the Guarantor and the Underwriters agree that it
would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this
Article VI were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the
Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any
other method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding
paragraph.  The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as
a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to
in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include,
subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in
connection with investigating or defending any such action or
claims.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article VI, no
Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of
the amount by which the total price at which the Securities
underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to
the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such
Underwriters has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. 
No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the
meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.  The Underwriters' obligations to contribute
pursuant to this Article VI are several in proportion to their
respective underwriting percentages (as defined in the Agreement
Among Underwriters) and not joint.

      The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this
Article VI and the representations and warranties of the Company
and the Guarantor in this Agreement shall remain operative and in
full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this
Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of any
Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter or by or on

                                  11
behalf of the Company or the Guarantor, their respective directors
or officers or any person controlling the Company or the Guarantor
and (iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the Securities.

                                 VII.

      This Agreement shall be subject to termination in your
absolute discretion, by notice given to the Company, if prior to
the Closing Date (i) trading in securities generally on the New
York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange shall have been
suspended or materially limited, (ii) a general moratorium on
commercial banking activities in New York shall have been declared
by either Federal or New York State authorities or (iii) there
shall have occurred any material outbreak or escalation of
hostilities or any material adverse change in financial markets or
any calamity or crisis the effect of which is such as to make it,
in your judgment, impracticable to market the Securities.

                                 VIII.

      If any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to
purchase Securities which it or they have agreed to purchase
hereunder, and the aggregate principal amount of Securities which
such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or
refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth of the aggregate
principal amount of the Securities, the other Underwriters shall be
obligated severally in the proportions which the amounts of
Securities set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting
Underwriters, or in such other proportions as you may specify, to
purchase the Securities which such defaulting Underwriter or
Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase; provided
that in no event shall the principal amount of Securities which any
Underwriter has agreed to purchase pursuant to Article I hereof be
increased pursuant to this Article VIII by an amount in excess of
one-ninth of such principal amount of Securities without the
written consent of such Underwriter.  If any Underwriter or
Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Securities which it
or they have agreed to purchase hereunder, and the aggregate
principal amount of Securities with respect to which such default
occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate principal amount of
the Securities and arrangements satisfactory to you and the Company
for the purchase of such Securities are not

                                  12

made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement will
terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting
Underwriter or of the Company.  In any such case either you or the
Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in
no event for longer than seven days, in order that the required
changes, if any, in the Registration Statement and in the
Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be
effected.  Any action taken under this paragraph shall not relieve
any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default
of such Underwriter under this Agreement.

      If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters, or
any of them, because of any failure or refusal on the part of the
Company or the Guarantor to comply with the terms or to fulfill any
of the conditions of this Agreement, or if for any reason the
Company or the Guarantor shall be unable to perform its obligations
under this agreement, the Company and the Guarantor will reimburse
the Underwriters or such Underwriters as have so terminated this
Agreement with respect to themselves, severally, for all out-of-
pocket expenses (including the fees and disbursements of their
counsel) reasonably incurred by such Underwriters in connection
with the Securities.

      This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the
signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

                                  13

      This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

                                 Very truly yours,

                                 THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY,
                                      a New York corporation

                                 By:  ____________________________

                                 THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY,
                                      a Delaware corporation

                                 By:  ____________________________

Accepted, July 12, 1996:

MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

Acting severally on behalf of themselves

By MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED

      By: _____________________________

                                  14
Exhibit 4.1

This Security is a Book-Entry Security within the meaning of the
Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of
the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary.  This Security is
exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a person
other than the Depositary or its nominee only in the limited
circumstances described in the Indenture and may not be transferred
except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary
or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another
nominee of the Depositary.

Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized
representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York
corporation ("DTC"), to the Company (as defined below) or its agent
for registration of transfer, exchange, or payment, and any
certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in
such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of
DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity
as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY
TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR
TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof,
Cede & Co., has an interest herein. 

EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THE INDENTURE, THIS SECURITY MAY BE
TRANSFERRED, IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART, ONLY TO A NOMINEE OF THE
DEPOSITARY, OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, TO THE DEPOSITARY OR
TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR
DEPOSITARY.

                   THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY

                       8.30% DEBENTURE DUE 2026

                                                      CUSIP 577778 BA 0

                                                           $200,000,000
R-1

      THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY, a corporation duly
organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York
(herein called the "Company", which term includes any successor
corporation under the Indenture herein referred to), for value
received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered
assigns, the principal sum of TWO HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS
($200,000,000) on July 15, 2026, and to pay interest thereon from
July 15, 1996 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to
which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on
January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing January 15, 1997,
at the rate of 8.30%  per annum, until the principal hereof is
fully paid or made available for payment.  The interest so payable,
and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment
Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in
whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is
registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for
such interest, which shall be the first day of January or July
(whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding
such Interest Payment Date.  Any such interest not so punctually
paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the
Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the
Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special
Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed
by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of
Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such
Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful
manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities
exchange on which the Debentures of this series may be listed, and
upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more
fully provided in such Indenture.

                                   1

      Payment of the principal of and interest on this Security will
be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that
purpose in The City of New York, New York, in such coin or currency
of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal
tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however,
that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made
by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as
such address shall appear in the Security Register.

      REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE TO THE FURTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS
SECURITY SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF, WHICH FURTHER PROVISIONS
SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS IF SET FORTH AT THIS
PLACE.

      Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been
executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual
signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under
the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Instrument to
be duly executed under its corporate seal.

Dated: July 17, 1996

                                 THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY
                                      a New York corporation
[Seal]
                      
                                 By:________________________________
                                      John L. Dunham
                                      Executive Vice President and
                                      Chief Financial Officer
Attest: ____________________________
           Richard A. Brickson
           Secretary

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein
issued under the within-mentioned Indenture.

                                 THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, 
                                      as Trustee

                                 By: _______________________________
                                            Authorized Officer

                                   2

                         REVERSE OF DEBENTURE

                   THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY
                       8.30% Debenture Due 2026

      This Security is one of a duly authorized series of guaranteed
debt securities of the Company (herein called the "Debentures"),
issued under an Indenture, dated as of June 17, 1996 (herein called
the "Indenture"), among the Company, The May Department Stores
Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Guarantor") and The First
National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee",
which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture),
which provides for the issuance by the Company from time to time of
debt securities of the Company (herein called the "Debt
Securities") in one or more series, to which Indenture and all
indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a
statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties
and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the
Holders of the Debentures and of the terms upon which the
Debentures are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered.  This
Debenture is one of the series designated on the face hereof,
limited in aggregate principal amount to $200,000,000.

      This Debenture is subject to redemption, at the option of the
Company upon at least 30 and not more than 60 days' notice by mail,
at any time on or after July 15, 2006 and prior to maturity, as a
whole, or from time to time in part, at prices equal to the
percentages of principal amount set forth below, during the twelve
month period beginning July 15 of the years indicated:
Redemption                        Redemption
Year             Price            Year             Price    
2006             104.150          2011             102.075
2007             103.735          2012             101.660
2008             103.320          2013             101.245
2009             102.905          2014             100.830
2010             102.490          2015             100.415

and at 100% if redeemed on or after July 15, 2016, together in each
case, with interest accrued and unpaid to the date fixed for
redemption (subject to the right of Holders of record on relevant
Record Dates to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date).

      If an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures shall
occur and be continuing, the principal amount of the Debentures may
be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect
provided in the Indenture.

      The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein
provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights
and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the
Debentures under the Indenture and the waiver of compliance by the
Company with certain provisions of the Indenture at any time with
the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Debt Securities at the time Outstanding (or, in case
less than all of the several series of Debt Securities then
Outstanding are affected, of the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Debt Securities at the time Outstanding of each
affected series).  The Indenture also permits the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Debentures at the time
Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all the Debentures, to
waive certain past defaults under the Indenture and their
consequences.  Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this
Debenture shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon
all future Holders of this Debenture and of any Debenture issued
upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or
in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver
is made upon this Debenture.

      The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time
of (1) the entire indebtedness of the Debentures and (2) certain
restrictive covenants and 

                                   3

certain Events of Default applicable to the Debentures, upon
compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth in the
Indenture and in an Officers' Certificate issued pursuant to the
Indenture.
As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture,
any Holder of these Debentures shall not have the right to
institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to
the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or
for any other remedy hereunder, unless such Holder shall have
previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event
of Default with respect to the Debentures, the Holders of not less
than 25% in principal amount of the Debentures at the time
outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to
institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as
trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity and the
Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding a
direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to
institute any such proceedings, for 60 days after receipt of such
notice, request and offer of indemnity.

      No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this
Debenture or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation
of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the
principal of and interest on this Debenture at the times, place and
rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

      As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain
limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Debenture is
registrable in the Debenture Register, upon surrender of this
Debenture for registration of transfer at the office or agency of
the Company maintained for that purpose in The City of New York,
New York, or at any other office or agency designated for that
purpose by the Company pursuant to the Indenture, duly endorsed by,
or  accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company and the Debenture Registrar duly
executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in
writing, and thereupon one or more new Debentures, of authorized
denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be
issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

      The Debentures are issuable only in registered form without
coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any multiple thereof.  As
provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, the Debentures are exchangeable for a like
aggregate principal amount of Debentures of a different authorized
denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same. 

      No service charge shall be made for any such registration of
transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in
connection therewith.

      Prior to due presentment of this Debenture for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or
the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Debenture is
registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not
this Debenture be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor
any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

      All terms used in this Debenture which are defined in the
Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the
Indenture.

                                   4

GUARANTEE

      For good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is
acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the Guarantor
hereby unconditionally guarantees the due and punctual payment of
the principal of, sinking fund payment, if any, premium, if any,
and interest on, and any Redemption Price with respect to this
Debenture, when and as the same shall become due and payable,
whether at maturity, upon acceleration or redemption or otherwise,
in accordance with the terms of this Debenture and the Indenture.

                                  THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY
                                        a Delaware corporation
[Seal]

                                  By: _______________________________
                                        John L. Dunham
                                        Executive Vice President and
                                        Chief Financial Officer

Attest: ____________________________
               Richard A. Brickson
               Secretary

                                   5
(FORM OF ASSIGNMENT)

                             ABBREVIATIONS

      The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on
the face of this Debenture, shall be construed as though they were
written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

TEN COM - as tenants in common
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties
JT TEN  - as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as
tenants in common

UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - ______(Cust) Custodian ______(Minor)
under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act ___________________ (State)

   Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above
list.

                              ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED ___________________________ hereby sell(s),
assign(s) and transfer(s) unto 

                                 PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
                                         IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

(Please Print or Typewrite Name and Address of Assignee)

the within Debenture and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting
and appointing ___________________________________________ Attorney to transfer
said Debenture on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in
the premises.                     

Dated:                            _________________________________

Notice: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as
written upon the face of this Debenture in every particular, without
alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

Signature Guaranteed: _________________________________________________

Notice: Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution"
that is a member or participant in a "signature guarantee program" (e.g., the
Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the Stock Exchange Medallion
Program or the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program).

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