I have that album too, as well as many of the Acebo cards. There is no known Willie Mays card that I am aware of. I think 1949-50 is accurate. Quincy Trouppe, who was one of the mainstays of the Negro Leagues during that period, ended his career in 1949 and went to Canada, where he has no cards to my knowledge. He resurfaced for a short period of time in 1952. Seamheads shows that Max Manning's last year in the Negro Leagues was 1948. That may be incomplete, but is at least thus far more indicative of 1949-50 than later. Chuck Conners played there in 1948-49 and 1949-50, but, to my knowledge, didn't play there a year later. Dandrige signed and played for the Minneapolis Millers from 1949-53. Yes, he could have gone Caribbean during the off-season, but I have no information to that effect.
Ryan Christoff is the guy to ask for the best answer. He has devoted a fairly significant amount of time to looking at that sort of issue. I believe he will tell you that the issue date is 1949-50 as well. But I could be wrong. If so, I suspect he will be right.
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