BEIJING, June 3 -- They were taken before Marilyn Monroe became branded as the voluptuous blonde who oozed sex appeal in dozens of Hollywood films.

    They were taken before rumors of an affair with President John F. Kennedy swirled and her mental breakdowns became public.

    They were taken before the beautiful actress's mysterious overdose that resulted in her death at the age of 36.

A 24-year-old Marilyn Monroe poses for Life magazine in August 1950

    In a collection discovered by Life.com last month, unpublished photographs of Monroe reveal a softer, more innocent 24-year-old budding starlet in a more peaceful time, before her fame peaked.

    Source revealed, the photos were probably taken for a cover shoot that was never used.

    Monroe appeared on her first Life magazine cover in 1952