Rare photos of Marilyn Monroe 1953 visit to Banff

Just a few months before the historic first issue of Playboy magazine would introduce the charms of Marilyn Monroe to the world in December 1953, she escaped to the charming town of Banff, Alberta.

Travelling with her fiancé Joe DiMaggio, one of the greatest baseball players of all time and recently retired for two years, the couple took a getaway trip in August into the wilds of this Canadian paradise.

A new book, Marilyn: August 1953, showcases more than 100 previously-unpublished photos of the screen goddess’ and baseball legend’s visit to Banff, Alberta in 1953.

Accompanied by photographer John Vachon, the couple is depicted in front of majestic mountainous backdrops, a wilderness that has since developed into a booming tourist attraction.

This was a very different assignment for the photographer, Vachon, whose reputation had been built on photos of poverty in rural America, which may explain the documentary feel of the photos.

Unfortunately, Marilyn Monroe does block some of the most beautiful scenery in the world–we apologize in advance.