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SCHEDULE 13G
 (12/31/98)
ASTRO-MED INC NEW
 Cusip # 04638F108
Amendment

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Cusip # 04638F108
Item 1: REPORTING PERSONS
Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. (Tax ID: 22-2370029)
Item 4: CITIZENSHIP
Delaware Corporation
Item 5: SOLE VOTING POWER
361,950 ** see Note 1 **
Item 6: SHARED VOTING POWER --
 None
Item 7: SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER --
361,950 ** see Note 1 **
Item 8: SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER --
 0
Item 9: AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED --
361,950 ** see Note 1 **
Item 11: PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY LINE 9 --
 8.19
Item 12: TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON --
IA

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ITEM 1(A). NAME OF ISSUER
ASTRO-MED INC NEW
ITEM 1(B). ADDRESS OF ISSUER
600 East Greenwich Ave.
West Warwick, RI 02893
ITEM 2(A). NAME OF PERSON FILING
Dimensional Fund Advisors
ITEM 2(B). ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OFFICE
1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Floor, Santa Monica, CA 90401
ITEM 2(C). CITIZENSHIP
A Delaware Corporation
ITEM 2(D). TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES
Common Stock
ITEM 2(E). CUSIP NUMBER
04638F108
ITEM 3. This statement is filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1 (b), or
 13d-2 (b) and the person filing is an investment advisor registered under section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940.

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ITEM 4. OWNERSHIP
ITEM 4(a). AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
361,950 ** see Note 1 **
ITEM 4(b). PERCENT OF CLASS
 8.19
ITEM 4(c). NUMBER OF SHARE AS TO WHICH SUCH PERSON HAS:
(i). SOLE POWER TO VOTE OR DIRECT THE VOTE --
361,950 ** see Note 1 **
(ii). SHARED POWER TO VOTE OR TO DIRECT THE VOTE --
None
(iii). SOLE POWER TO DISPOSE OR TO DIRECT DISPOSITION OF --
361,950 ** see Note 1 **
(iv). SHARE POWER TO DISPOSE OR TO DIRECT DISPOSISTION OF --
None
** Note 1 **
Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. ("Dimensional"), an investment advisor registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, furnishes investment advice to four investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and serves as investment manager to certain other commingled group trusts and separate accounts. These investment companies, trusts and accounts are the "Funds". In its role as investment adviser or manager, Dimensional possesses voting and/or investment power over the securities of the Issuer described in this schedule that are owned the Funds. All securities reported in this schedule are owned by the Funds. Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities.
ITEM 5. OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT OR LESS OF A CLASS
 If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of 12/31/98 the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following: [ ]
ITEM 6. OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ON BEHALF OF
ANOTHER PERSON
 All Securities reported in this schedule are onwed by advisory clients of Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc., no one of which to the knowledge of Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. owns more than 5% of the class. Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc disclaims beneficial ownership of all such securities.
ITEM 7. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH
ACQUIRED THE SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT HOLDING COMPANY:
 Not Applicable
ITEM 8. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP
 Not Applicable
ITEM 9. NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP
 Not Applicable
ITEM 10. CERTIFICATION
 By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired for the purpose of and do not have the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of such securities and were not acquired in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having such purposes or effect.
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete are correct.
Signature
Friday, February 12, 1999
Michael T. Scardina
Vice President and Chief Finacial Officer