SUMMARY
In December 2007, the International Center of Photography received three boxes containing approximately 4,500 negatives from the Spanish Civil War, lost since 1939. The "Mexican Suitcase" holds film by Robert Capa, Gerda Taro, and David "Chim" Seymour, who pioneered modern war reporting. The collection includes complete rolls of film, revealing rejected frames and assignment details previously unknown to scholars. The negatives, which disappeared from a Paris darkroom, resurfaced in Mexico City after a journey with uncertain stages. The International Center of Photography exhibited the recovered work and published a study of the find.
TAKEAWAYS
The "Mexican Suitcase" contains 4,500 negatives from the Spanish Civil War, lost for 68 years.
The negatives are by renowned photographers Robert Capa, Gerda Taro, and David "Chim" Seymour.
The find provides complete film rolls, offering insight into rejected frames and assignment details.
The photographers were pioneers of modern war reporting and all died on assignment.