Whenever any consignee or factor, having possession of merchandise, with authority to sell the same, or having possession of any bill of lading, permit, certificate, receipt or order, for the delivery of merchandise, with the like authority, shall deposit or pledge such merchandise, or any part thereof, with any other person, as a security for any money advanced or negotiable instrument given by him on the faith thereof, such other person shall acquire by virtue of such contract the same interest in and authority over the said merchandise as he would have acquired thereby if such consignee or factor had been the actual owner thereof: Provided, That such person shall not have notice, by such document or otherwise, before the time of such advance or receipt, that the holder of such merchandise or document is not the actual owner of such merchandise.
6 P.S. § 201