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1 year ago
24
Never-before-seen photographs of Elvis Presley enjoying a 'secret' holiday with a young German woman during his time in the army have been discovered.
The black and white images show the then-24-year-old relaxing with Rosemarie Prass while on leave from the military in the summer of 1959.
Elvis was already a superstar by the time of his national service, which lasted from 1958 to 1960.
Fans had sent tens of thousands of letters to army leaders pleading them to spare him from mandatory service, to no avail.
After basic training, which included emergency leave to travel back home to see his mother Gladys before she died in August 1985, as well as some time to finish the movie he was working on, King Creole.
The Prass family took several photos of the king of rock 'n' roll during his holiday
The King of Rock (pictured, right) had been drafted into military service at the time
The black and white images show the then-24-year-old relaxing with Rosemarie Prass (pictured, right) while on leave from the military in the summer of 1959
He stayed at a secluded guest house in Germany while on leave and spent time in the company of a family who were camping on the grounds
Elvis gave an autograph to the Prass family, who were staying with him at the time
Elvis was drafted into the US army between 1958 and 1960
On the day he reported for his physical examination, March 24 1958, which was dubbed 'Black Monday' by his fans, he was sworn in and made leader of his group, after he was assigned the army serial number 53310761.
He stayed at a secluded guest house 20 miles away and spent time in the company of a family who were camping on the grounds.
They included 18-year-old Rosemarie and the pair went on bike rides, trips in a Messerschmidt bubble car and sunbathed together.
The Prass family took several photos of the king of rock 'n' roll during his holiday.
It is not known if the pair were romantically linked but there is one photo of him with his arm around Rosemarie who is wearing a swimsuit.
There is also a photo of Elvis relaxing in his army uniform while sat in a beer garden chair.
A few weeks after the photos were taken Elvis was introduced to his future wife Priscilla, then 14 years old, by an army friend at a party at his home in Bad Nauheim, Germany.
The photos and the chair were later acquired by Rosemarie's friend and neighbour, Natalie Pech
The details of the secret holiday were not revealed until 2002, 25 years after he died
The images were kept by Rosemarie for the rest of her life, along with the chair which Elvis signed at the time.
She only revealed details of his 'secret vacation' in 2002, 25 years after his death.
The photos and the chair were later acquired by Rosemarie's friend and neighbour, Natalie Pech.
They are now coming up for sale at Kruse GWS Auctions in Los Angeles, US, for £15,000.
Auctioneer Dame Brigitte Kruse said: 'This wonderful story has really never been told before.
The images were kept by Rosemarie for the rest of her life, along with the chair which Elvis signed at the time
Elvis' faint signature can be seen in the wood of the chair
'What makes this archive special is that Elvis met Priscillla in September 1959 and so these photos of his secret vacation were right before that time.
'He was spending time with this other young lady who nobody has really ever heard of. They obviously had a wonderful time together. Were they romantically involved? Who knows.
'These items offer a rare glimpse into some of the most important moments in his personal life.
'One can only imagine the conversations Elvis led while sitting in this remarkable chair.
Elvis fought in the 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 32nd Armour, 3rd Armoured Division, as an armour intelligence specialist until March 2 1960
While he was offered special accommodation during his time in the army, he stayed with his fellow soldiers and worked with them
His service ended on March 2 1960, when he flew home to the US from Germany with a quick stop-off at Prestwick Airport in Scotland, the one and only time Elvis ever set foot in the UK
On the day he reported for his physical examination, March 24 1958, which was dubbed 'Black Monday' by his fans, he was sworn in and made leader of his group, after he was assigned the army serial number 53310761
Elvis and Priscilla (pictured) met at a party he hosted in Germany when she was 14 years old, and were introduced to each other by one of Elvis' army friends
'The wooden slatted chair is great. It folds up and is very compact. They don't make furniture like this anymore. It is very sturdy and I can see it lasting another 200 years.
'The photos are part of the story of the chair. They are very candid and have never been seen before.'
The sale takes place on December 2.
Elvis fought in the 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 32nd Armour, 3rd Armoured Division, as an armour intelligence specialist.
While he was offered special accommodation during his time in the army, he stayed with his fellow soldiers and worked with them.
His service ended on March 2 1960, when he flew home to the US from Germany with a quick stop-off at Prestwick Airport in Scotland, the one and only time Elvis ever set foot in the UK.
The bar at the airport has since been renamed in honour of the King of Rock, and a plaque commemorating his short, but well-remembered, time in the UK still stands today.
English (US)