Il mondo della Vespa - Interview with Robin Davy and Mika Hahn

With Il mondo della Vespa (The World of Vespa), Robin Davy and Mika Hahn do not present an ordinary follow-up to their classic Vespa Forever (2006) - rather, they open up a completely new dimension of Vespa passion. In two opulent volumes and over 700 pages, they present what is probably the world's most comprehensive collection of Vespa Badges, supplemented by rare club banners, original designs and historical documents. Written in three languages (German, English, Italian) and lovingly designed, this work is a real heavyweight - both literally and figuratively. This work is available exclusively from SIP Scootershop.

What 40 years of Robin Davy's passion for collecting and the meticulous archive work of Fritz & Mika Hahn have produced is more than just a book project: it is a tribute to Vespa culture and its worldwide community. No other vehicle characterised European club life in the 1950s as much as the Vespa - and no collector's item embodies this era better than the lovingly designed Badges.

We spoke to the two authors about the genesis of this extraordinary compendium - about a passion for collecting, travel, challenges and personal favourites.

SIP: Robin, Mika, congratulations on your latest endeavour, The World of Vespa - a truly monumental work. How long did it take from the idea to the completion of this compendium?

Robin/Mika: We worked on the two books for about ten years. Although: Il Mondo della Vespa is actually a compilation of Robin's Vespa collection - his life's work.
So to speak, there are 40 years of collecting passion in the book. Plus the photos from the Hahn archive, which Fritz Hahn has been building up since the 1980s and which Mika continues to maintain. Robin lives in Munich, Mika in Düsseldorf - that was a lot of travelling.

SIP: There are almost 2,000 photos of Badges in the two volumes. Are these Badges all in your possession or did you have to work partly with pictures from other collectors?

Robin/Mika: 99% of the Badges come from Robin's collection - Badges for which Robin has travelled all over the world. Some of them are unique, and the term "masterpieces" is really appropriate for many objects.
We also show original designs from the Lorioli company in the intro: drawings of Badges that existed - and some that were never produced. Truly a graphic treasure. These designs come from our friend Marco Fumagalli, who has made them exclusively available to us.

SIP: What was the biggest hurdle in creating The World of Vespa?

Robin/Mika: Probably our desire to cover everything. Each chapter could have been its own Book. We not only show the Badges, but also numerous Vespa memorabilia and tell their story. Some clubs didn't have a Badge, but for example a Pennant, Key Chain etc.
The Book not only shows the Vespa Club history, but also that of the Vespa events.

SIP: How do you even know how many Badges there have ever been? Do the clubs keep a Book of them?

Robin/Mika: We have been collecting for so many years that we have been able to meet numerous contemporary witnesses from the 1950s and obtain first-hand information. We also have original literature from that time.
Unfortunately, a number of contemporary witnesses and friends passed away during the production of the book. For example, Miss Vespa South Africa, who gave us a unique insight into Vespa Club life in South Africa in the 1950s and 1960s. Or Adolf Nass from the Vespa Club Saarland. Bill Drake from England. Our dear friend Peter Witzel from Essen - and many more ...
We have channelled all our knowledge and what we have been told into this Book. We have tried to preserve as much history as possible for posterity.

SIP: Can you say which Badges are the rarest or most valuable? Which ones were the most difficult to obtain?

Robin/Mika: Many of the Spanish Badges are artistically valuable. As a native Englishman, Robin naturally favours the Badges from his home country.
The African Vespa Badges or those from the Vespa Club Saigon from the 1950s are also interesting. Or Israel, Indonesia ... It's amazing where there were Vespa clubs.
Ultimately, we are proud that we have presented a fairly comprehensive list of all known Badges. Curiously, after the book was published, a Badge appeared that Robin would probably have liked to have in the Book: the Badge from VC Leeds - that's his home town in England.

SIP: Do you personally have a favourite badge? Which one do you like best?

Robin/Mika: It's difficult to decide on a Badge - rather a top 5 or top 10. Robin's favourite Badge is from the Vespa Club Jerez in Spain. His top 5 also includes the badge from VC Manchester, EuroVespa Barcelona 1957 and VC Kuchem (Malaysia).
Mika's favourite badge is from VC Benrath Düsseldorf 1952 - generally early German badges.

SIP: How many collectors of these Badges are there worldwide? What is your estimate?

Robin/Mika : There are different areas of collecting, e.g. EuroVespa badges or national badges from a particular country. We know a lot of collectors who collect Badges from a certain area for emotional reasons.
The number of collectors is almost infinite - somehow almost every Vespa collector has a small collection of Badges.

SIP: Robin, you also have a large collection of original Vespas. Do you actually have a favourite Vespa?

Robin: My 1946 Vespa in its original condition. That's the magical beginning of the Vespa legend.

SIP: What plans do you have for the near future? Will there be another Book?

Robin/Mika: We are delighted to have Il Mondo della Vespa in our hands. But let us surprise you - there's more to come ..

SIP: Thank you for your answers and we are looking forward to the next project.

About the authors:

Robin Davy, born in England in 1961, has lived in Munich since 1979. As a passionate collector, founder of the "Münchner Oldtimer Vespafreunde" and central figure in the international Vespa scene, he has made a name for himself with his unique collection of vehicles, toys and memorabilia. His work documents a lifelong fascination with the Vespa.

Mika Hahn is a Vespa expert, author and an active guardian of Vespa culture. As co-author of Vespa Forever and the children's book Enrico's Vespa, as well as through his work at the Classic Remise Düsseldorf, he brings extensive knowledge and personal enthusiasm to the project. Together with Robin Davy, he has created a standard work for collectors and Vespa enthusiasts.

Video: Vespa collector Robin Davy - a visit