Elvis Presley’s ‘secret’ army holiday revealed: Never-before-seen photos of The King on leave relaxing in the German countryside with an 18-year-old companion, weeks before he met Priscilla, are up for sale
Never-before-seen photos have been discovered of Elvis Presley enjoying a ‘secret’ holiday with a young German woman during his time in the army.
The black and white footage shows the then 24-year-old relaxing with Rosemarie Prass while on leave from the army in the summer of 1959.
Elvis was already a superstar during his military service, which lasted from 1958 to 1960.
Fans had sent tens of thousands of letters to army leaders begging them to spare him from mandatory service, but to no avail.
After basic training, he was given 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 film he was working on, King Creole.
The Prass family took several photos of the king of rock ‘n’ roll during his vacation
The King of Rock (photo right) was called up for military service at the time
The black and white footage shows the then 24-year-old relaxing with Rosemarie Prass (pictured, right) while on leave from the army in the summer of 1959
He stayed in a remote guest house in Germany while on leave and spent time in the company of a family camping on the property
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 and was stationed in Germany
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 appointed leader of his group, after being assigned the Army serial number 53310761.
He stayed in a remote boarding house twenty miles away and spent time in the company of a family camping on the property.
Among them was 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 vacation.
It is not known if the pair were romantically involved, 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 sitting in a beer garden chair.
A few weeks after the photos were taken, Elvis was introduced by an army buddy to his future wife Priscilla, then 14 years old, at a party at his home in Bad Nauheim, Germany.
The photos and chair were later acquired by Rosemarie’s friend and neighbor, Natalie Pech
The details of the secret holiday were not revealed until 2002, 25 years after his death
The images were kept by Rosemarie for the rest of her life, along with the chair that Elvis signed at the time.
She only revealed details about his ‘secret holiday’ in 2002, 25 years after his death.
The photos and chair were later acquired by Rosemarie’s friend and neighbor, Natalie Pech.
They are now offered for sale at Kruse GWS Auctions in Los Angeles, USA, for £15,000.
Auctioneer Dame Brigitte Kruse said: ‘This beautiful story has truly never been told before.
The images were kept by Rosemarie for the rest of her life, along with the chair that 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 that these photos of his secret holiday were taken just before then.
“He spent time with another young lady that no one has ever heard of. They clearly had a great time together. Were they romantically involved? Who knows.
‘These items provide 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 Armor, 3rd Armored Division as an armor intelligence specialist until March 2, 1960.
While he was offered special accommodations 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 from Germany to the US with a brief stopover at Prestwick Airport in Scotland, the only time Elvis ever set foot in Britain.
On the day he reported for his physical examination, March 24, 1958, which his fans dubbed “Black Monday,” he was sworn in and named leader of his group after being 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 by one of Elvis’ army buddies
‘The wooden slatted chair is great. It is foldable and very compact. They don’t make furniture like that 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 will take place on December 2.
Elvis fought in the 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 32nd Armor, 3rd Armored Division, as an armor intelligence specialist.
While he was offered special accommodations 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 from Germany to the US with a brief stopover at Prestwick Airport in Scotland, the only time Elvis ever set foot in Britain.
The airport bar has since been renamed in honor of the King of Rock, and a plaque still stands commemorating his short but well-remembered time in Britain.