The Archive at 30: James Gallo

Ron writes:

 James Gallo has been an Archive editor since, I believe, the early '00s. His reflection on how the site has impacted his life highlights how collecting is ultimately about the people you meet and make friends with. It's not just about the stuff. 

(Okay...sometimes it really is just about the stuff. But friends are important too.)

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James writes:

As I look back on the Star Wars Collectors Archive, I remember a time when information was much harder to come by and there were only two major sites to visit when talking about vintage Star Wars collecting. If you wanted to, you could spend hours paging through the Archive like you would page through a good book. You would see things you never knew existed and learn new facts about the production process of these wonderful toys. When you thought you were done, there would be a new entry by one of the editors. It was certainly a place I went to on a regular basis, and I was always excited to see the updates. At one point I was contacted by one of those editors about my Lili Ledy set of boxed 12-inch dolls. I was not aware of how rare and significant these pieces were; I acquired them by managing to be in the right place at the right time. Little did I know how much they would change my life, and that first contact with Todd Chamberlain would develop into a lifelong friendship with not only him but the other editors as well. In the years that followed, I met and talked with many of the other editors, several of whom lived near me. As I grew with the Archive, I ended up becoming part of it, first by adding pictures and content, and then eventually became an editor myself. These connections have resulted in my being involved in the Collecting Track at several Star Wars Celebrations, visiting numerous countries, and getting to know people from all over the world. I can honestly say that without the Archive, my life, friends and collection would be extremely different. I will always be grateful to that small first group of people that started it all who were willing to welcome in the new guy. I hope that the Archive will continue to provide information and be a resource for years to come.