The first SMS in history, transmitted on 3 December 1992 by telephone operator Vodafone, was sold at auction in Paris on Tuesday in the form of a digital code for 107,000 euros (about 120,000 dollars), according to the Aguttes auction house.

The curious piece, presented on a tablet, was acquired by a Canadian who works in the new technologies sector and whose identity was not specified.

The buyer thus owns a digital replica and the only original communication protocol that transmitted this telephone text message (SMS).

It was received by Richard Jarvis, a Vodafone employee, and consisted of 15 characters: "Merry Christmas".

The proceeds from the sale, which the auction house had estimated at between 100,000 and 200,000 euros (112,700-225,000 dollars), will be given to the UN Refugee Agency.