The Strand Magazine : an illustrated monthly. Vol. 1, no. 3, March 1891 / edited by George Newnes.
The pattern
This still is filed under Long-copy editorial.
Define
The sell is written as an article: argument, evidence, and length instead of a slogan.
Mechanism
Time-on-page as proof. A reader who finishes has already walked through the case. The format is editorial. The job is still the offer.
Verdict
The purchase is considered, expensive, or needs education
Why it works
The magazine aggregates multiple advertisers into a single issue, subsidizing the cost of the editorial content and guaranteeing a wide readership for the ads.
Steal this when
When creating a publication that relies on advertising revenue to offset production costs.