The history of the Swedish covers is not always edifying. Often they prove to have too many similarities with the American originals and a lack of unique creativity. Nevertheless, it is interesting to see the covers and there are some unique drawings and a few interesting details. On this page You can compare the Swedish covers to the originals or the internal illustrations when there are similarities. Thank You Philip for letting me use Your scans of the internal illustrations. Only the internal of Moaning Cave is from my book.

21 of the books in the Original Series got Swedish Covers. Book number 1, 2, 3 and 4 show the American Original covers, but in 1968 the publisher B. Wahlströms asked the Swedish artist Ola Ericson (1920-) to draw the cover for The Mystery of the Vanishing Treasure. Then he drew every cover up to and including The Mystery of the Nervous Lion in 1974. Later he drew the cover for The Monster Mountain cover in 1976. As You can see below he also drew the cover for Terror Castle, but it was for the 6^th edition in 1973. Edition number 1 to 5 show the cover of Ed Vebell. In a letter I received from Ola he said that he never saw the American originals, but at least six of his covers are very close to the American originals, and I am afraid that You will have to call it plagiarism. But sometimes he used one of the internal illustrations in the American book or another scene from the story, and those covers are more interesting. Three funny details: 1. Ola continued to draw the face of Mr Hitchcock (?) on almost every cover. 2. Sometimes he gave Bob a cardigan or a shirt instead of a waistcoat. 3. On Terror Castle You can see Jupe and Bob captured. It should be Jupe and Pete.

This Swedish cover is definitely plagiarism and is not as brilliant as the original. Bob got a cardigan and You can see the "Hitchcock-face". The latter is a funny detail that saves the reputation of the cover.

This is also plagiarism in the highest degree. Bob got a shirt and the "Hitchcock-face" is to be seen to the left.

This one was probably inspired by an internal illustration in the original. But I like this one, and it is in a way unique. It is one of my favourite Swedish cover.

There are some minor similarities with an internal illustration, but it is rather unique. This dramatic cover is also one of my favourites showing parts of Varania.

Plagiarism again I am afraid. But Bob got a shirt and the "Hitchcock-face" is still there.

There are some similarities with an internal illustration, but I like this one.

There are some similarities with the original, but the Swedish cover shows more of the garden. This time I prefer the Swedish cover.

This is a rather unique cover, but the "garden-atmosphere" is also to be found on an internal illustration.

This is very poor plagiarism. Bob got a shirt.

This cover was definitely inspired by one of the internal illustrations. Bob got a shirt and You find the "Hitchcock-face" to the right.

This cover shows many similarities with the original, but on the Swedish cover the boys are outside in the garden. You can also see the "Hitchcock-face".

This is definitely plagiarism, but You can see Jupe and Bob captured. It should be Jupe and Pete.

This is plagiarism. No "Hitchcock-face".

Unique, though I don´t like it that very much.

Tord Nygren made three of the covers beween 1975 and 1977. Personally I am not very fond of his very naive pictures, but they are at least unique. A funny detail: On Death trap mine You can see the face of Mr Hitchcock.

Perhaps he was inspired by an internal illustration.

Definitely some similarities with the original. Creepy, but I don´t like the faces.

This one is rather unique. On this cover You can also see the "Hitchcock-face" again.

Anders Ferm made three of the covers. I guess You can say that he was inspired by the originals, but he had a style of his own.

Rather unique and ok.

This one was definitely inspired by the original but the Scarecrow is drawned in a different way.

This cover is perhaps not plagiarism but however bad.

Jan Gissberg only made one cover.

Unique and dramatic, but too naive.

Christina drew six covers when seven of the books came in new editions as part of Disney´s bookclub in Sweden. She made them in a very unique style. Some of them have a special atmosphere.

Moaning Cave: Ok. Dancing Devil: Definitely her best! Shrinking House: Her worst.

Crooked Cat: Ok. Talking Skull: Ok. Phantom lake: Very nice!

Back to the main coversite

If You want to see more and better covers, please visit the these pages:

The Three Investigators Readers´Site (with the internal illustrations)

The Secrets of the Three Investigators

Three Investigators U.S. Editions Collector's Site

Die Drei und ihr coverarchiv (Rocky-Beach)