<PAGE>
<PAGE> 1
                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C.  20549
 
 
                                  FORM 8-K
 
                               CURRENT REPORT
 
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                     THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
              Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
                                May 4, 1999
 
 
 
                     MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION          
           ------------------------------------------------------
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
          Pennsylvania             0-9115 and 0-24494         25-0644320     
  ----------------------------     ------------------        ------------
  (State or other jurisdiction        (Commission          (IRS Employer
       of incorporation)             File Numbers)       Identification No.)
 
 
      Two NorthShore Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania           15212
      -----------------------------------------------         ----------
         (Address of principal executive offices)             (Zip Code)
 
 
 Registrant's telephone number, including area code:       (412) 442-8200
                                                           --------------
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  <PAGE>
<PAGE> 2
 ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS
 
 On May 4, 1999, Matthews International Corporation ("Matthews") signed an
 agreement to purchase the assets of Caggiati S.p.A., which is based in Colorno
 (Parma), Italy, and its subsidiaries, Caggiati Espana S.A. in Valencia, Spain
 and Caggiati France S.a.r.l. in Lyon, France.
 
 Caggiati S.p.A., with consolidated annual sales of approximately $25 million
 (U.S.), is the leading supplier of bronze memorialization products in Europe. 
 The purchase price is Lit. 34.6 billion (approximately $19 million) cash plus
 the assumption of bank debt up to Lit. 10.2 billion (approximately $6 million)
 and certain other trade liabilities.  Matthews expects to finance a portion
 of the purchase through borrowings from an Italian bank.  The expected closing
 date is early June 1999.
 
 The combination of Matthews and Caggiati S.p.A. is an important part of the
 Matthews' strategy to enhance its position as the worldwide leader in the
 memorialization industry.  This acquisition is designed to serve as a platform
 for Matthews to penetrate existing European markets, enter new markets in
 other areas of the world, and improve Matthews' ability to serve existing
 multi-national customers on a global basis.  In addition, Caggiati products
 are manufactured via die cast, shell molding and lost wax technologies whereas
 the majority of Matthews' products are produced by sand cast technology.  The
 combination of these manufacturing processes is expected to provide Matthews
 with opportunities for the introduction of new products to both existing and
 new markets.  Caggiati S.p.A. (which is celebrating its 40th year as a bronze
 memorial supplier) is considered to be the premier supplier in the markets
 they serve and has an excellent reputation for high quality products and
 outstanding customer service.
 
 Any forward-looking statements contained herein are included pursuant to the
 "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
 1995.  Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and
 uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual results in future periods
 to be materially different from management's expectations.  Although the
 Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking
 statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations
 will prove correct.  Factors that could cause the Company's results to differ
 materially from the results discussed in such forward-looking statements
 principally include economic, competitive and technological factors beyond the
 Company's control.
 
 
 
  <PAGE>
<PAGE> 3
 
 
                                SIGNATURES
 
 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 thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
                                            MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
                                                       (Registrant)
                                
                                
                                        By          Edward J. Boyle         
                                            ----------------------------------
                                            Edward J. Boyle  
                                            Vice President, Accounting &
                                             Finance, Treasurer and Secretary
 
 
 
 
 Date: May 10, 1999
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1
                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C.  20549
 
 
                                  FORM 8-K
 
                               CURRENT REPORT
 
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                     THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
              Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
                                May 4, 1999
 
 
 
                     MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION          
           ------------------------------------------------------
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
          Pennsylvania             0-9115 and 0-24494         25-0644320     
  ----------------------------     ------------------        ------------
  (State or other jurisdiction        (Commission          (IRS Employer
       of incorporation)             File Numbers)       Identification No.)
 
 
      Two NorthShore Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania           15212
      -----------------------------------------------         ----------
         (Address of principal executive offices)             (Zip Code)
 
 
 Registrant's telephone number, including area code:       (412) 442-8200
                                                           --------------
2
 ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS
 
 On May 4, 1999, Matthews International Corporation ("Matthews") signed an
 agreement to purchase the assets of Caggiati S.p.A., which is based in Colorno
 (Parma), Italy, and its subsidiaries, Caggiati Espana S.A. in Valencia, Spain
 and Caggiati France S.a.r.l. in Lyon, France.
 
 Caggiati S.p.A., with consolidated annual sales of approximately $25 million
 (U.S.), is the leading supplier of bronze memorialization products in Europe. 
 The purchase price is Lit. 34.6 billion (approximately $19 million) cash plus
 the assumption of bank debt up to Lit. 10.2 billion (approximately $6 million)
 and certain other trade liabilities.  Matthews expects to finance a portion
 of the purchase through borrowings from an Italian bank.  The expected closing
 date is early June 1999.
 
 The combination of Matthews and Caggiati S.p.A. is an important part of the
 Matthews' strategy to enhance its position as the worldwide leader in the
 memorialization industry.  This acquisition is designed to serve as a platform
 for Matthews to penetrate existing European markets, enter new markets in
 other areas of the world, and improve Matthews' ability to serve existing
 multi-national customers on a global basis.  In addition, Caggiati products
 are manufactured via die cast, shell molding and lost wax technologies whereas
 the majority of Matthews' products are produced by sand cast technology.  The
 combination of these manufacturing processes is expected to provide Matthews
 with opportunities for the introduction of new products to both existing and
 new markets.  Caggiati S.p.A. (which is celebrating its 40th year as a bronze
 memorial supplier) is considered to be the premier supplier in the markets
 they serve and has an excellent reputation for high quality products and
 outstanding customer service.
 
 Any forward-looking statements contained herein are included pursuant to the
 "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
 1995.  Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and
 uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual results in future periods
 to be materially different from management's expectations.  Although the
 Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking
 statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations
 will prove correct.  Factors that could cause the Company's results to differ
 materially from the results discussed in such forward-looking statements
 principally include economic, competitive and technological factors beyond the
 Company's control.
3
 
 
                                SIGNATURES
 
 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 thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
                                            MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
                                                       (Registrant)
                                
                                
                                        By          Edward J. Boyle         
                                            ----------------------------------
                                            Edward J. Boyle  
                                            Vice President, Accounting &
                                             Finance, Treasurer and Secretary
 
 
 
 
 Date: May 10, 1999