Thanks for posting this. I'd read the story of the suitcase heading to New York a year ago, and had been wondering what they found. I'd really like to see the exhibition of these photographs someday -- surely a book is in the offing.
Nitrate negatives give off a very irritating odor. I spent several days scanning nitrate negatives a few years back, and it was nasty stuff to handle. These were 8x10" negatives in good condition, too.