#290

On-sale date per Catalog of Copyright Entries. Third Series 1950, and induction from that volume's records of the on-sale dates (© icon) for Four Color issues #289 (1950-07-11) and #291 (1950-07-25), showing a separation of 14 days between them, hence 7 days at the midpoint between 289 & 291 being #290, 1950-07-18.

Editor inferred from page 281, Michael Barrier's "Funnybooks" (UC Press, Oakland, 2015): "[Lebeck] was still working for Western in March 1951 ... but he left sometime soon after that. ... His successor, George Brenner, ... held the job only briefly before his death in March 1952. He was succeeded by Matthew H. Murphy."

Indicia title is "THE CHIEF, No. 290." Code number is CHIEF O.S. #290-508. Copyright 1949, 1950 by Western Printing and Lithographing Co. First Four Color issue. Continues as The Chief (Dell, 1951 series) with #2 (April-June 1951).