Eric was born in California and began collecting stamps when he was eight years old. While still in high school he starting wheeling and dealing stamps among the local dealers, while continuing to build his personal collection. One dealer, Sherwood Springer, became a close friend and mentor. Eric owes much of his success to Mr. Springer. Eric remembers Springer saying that "you will never make a living selling revenue stamps." After graduation, Eric attended college for two years and worked installing water softeners, while attending stamp shows on the weekends. Eric became a full-time dealer in 1979. In 1987, he relocated to the East coast.