I would like to find out the value some Tenshodo models that date from about 1959. A partial list:
#119/120 F7 in war bonnet paint + six cars #400-406
#106/107 F7 or FT Pennsy + six cars #423-429
Where would I find the approximate value for other Twnshodod models of the same period?
I would look at websites showing these models or similar ones for sale. Caboose hobbies and Mitchall’ shave large brass inventories you can peruse. Another would be ebay. There are generally 7-900 brass pieces for sale at any one time on ebay.
I have been following Tenshodo engines on eBay for about a year. There are usually at least 10 items offered of various types. What I like about the Tenshodo is that they have not held their prices as well as other makes. It is possible to buy a nice brass steam engine for about $100. By following a number of auctions for a particular engine, you can start to tell what an average price will be. To do this, just go to eBay-Model RR-HO trains and then enter the search for Tenshodo. Then if you see an engine you would like to follow, just add it to a Watch List.
The problem with these particular models is that Tenshodo never got the bulldog nose correct so the models never did look quite “right”. For a lot of modelers this was unacceptable. Also if these are the cars I’m thinking of they were some of the first models imported by PFM and they are basically "shorties"around 60ft long and not full size cars, 80ft. I also remember these sets as not running very well, even for that time period. It was only later that Tenshodo became one of the premier brass producers in Japan, with surperb mechanisms and detail to match.