TEXAS — Ed Draganski works as art director for an advertising agency.

But when the work day is done, he meets up with old friends: Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Yoda and C-3PO. They’re just part of Draganski’s collection of "Star Wars" stuff. He started collecting in 1977 when the first movie came out.

“The generation before us could say how they felt about the Beatles, something that completely took over. So, you wanted something to commemorate that. You wanted a toy. You wanted a collectible,” said Draganski.

Ed and Spectrum News 1’s Todd Boatwright were neighbors back in the 1970s, and one could say Boatwright helped Draganski kick-start his collection.

“This was yours. You sold this to me. 'I gave you that album?!' You sold it to me for five dollars. I guess you didn’t want it. I still have it. This used to be yours!” said Draganski to Boatwright.

Draganski's collection includes everything from pictures to posters, figures to figurines. With each film that came out, he added something new and improved to his collection. He says "Star Wars" memorabilia has come a long way from just toys and tankards.

Draganski even has a light saber almost exactly like the ones used in the original movie.

“I have a friend named Jeff Parks. He makes a living making light sabers and other movie props, and he gave me this,” said Draganski. “I still feel the same way about as I did when I was 11. That hasn’t gone away. It’s just that everybody has grown up. And you have guys that’ve figured out how to build a costume, or how to make figures and how to make them look better.”

Draganski says "Star Wars" collecting also means community — like-minded people who share the same passion. His passion for "Star Wars" had a 40-year head start and is not going away anytime soon.

“I will continue to collect it until I run out of room to display it,” he said.