Eric Hebborn was a skilful artist who turned to a lucrative career in forgery at the earliest opportunity. Born into a family of many siblings, he was soon removed into borstal at the tender age of 8 for burning down his school. His talent for painting was spotted by his teachers though, and he made his way, via Chelmsford and Walthamstow art schools, to study at the Royal Academy Schools. He won many prizes at the Academy, including the prized Rome Scholarship in Engraving in 1959. His two year study at the British School at Rome, where he met senior art world figures such as Sir Anthony Blunt, established the already prodigious talent which he would only ever use to nefarious ends.