A rare photograph of the proud father of the most famous literary family in the world went on display at the Bronte Parsonage Museum, in Haworth.

The faded sepia image of the Reverend Patrick Bronte, taken some time before his death in 1861, is one of very few photographs of him known to exist. In its original oval gilt frame, it was once part of a collection of items sold off at auction in 1898 originally belonging to one of the Bronte servants.

Earlier this year, the photograph returned to the auction room and was bought by a first-time bidder who donated it to the Bronte Parsonage Museum. Ann Dinsdale, the museum’s collections manager, said: “Very few original images of the Bronte family exist so we are delighted that this special and rare find can now be displayed for thousands of our visitors to see.”

It will be on display until January 1.