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I think that they may have be out-crossed to a Malay (or other Oriental breed) That would account for the tall upright stance.
The R.I. White should be built like a R.I. Red and more longer than they are tall here is a sketch of a red but you get the idea.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/33115_picture_236.jpg
Chris
Chris thanks for finding this picture. Tim Jurgeons and I put this togeather about ten years ago. These are figures I measured from my Rhode Island reds. First of a Rhode Island Chicken is to be plum. That is his legs are dead center if he puts one leg up in the air and stands on one leg he is still plum or level. When the bird is walking around the yard visulize the male with a coffie cup on his back he can walk around and the cup will not tilt. He stands level and he walks level all the time unless he sees a dog or a hawk in the shy he may raise up.
This is called station. The male should be 24 inches from the tip of his comb to the ground and about the same from the end of his beak to the end of his tail. You want t good lenth from the neck to the oil gland a flat top line. Look at the pictures in the poutlr press on the R I Red bantmas. Look at thier backs and notice the lift in the mid back. We call these red rocks. They should be flat all the time on the middle of thier back.
This male shows a tilt i call this a Minorica tilt. I had this about five years ago in my bantams and took me three years to breed it out. The old time red folks called these reds rainy day reds.
Never saw a R I White befor. Most of them are sold from hatcheriyes have wyandotte for the comb and prodution white rock for the shape.
I think a good strain of white rock large fowl with low back top lines could be crossed say on this male and then breed the best sons with rose combs back to the white rock hens and in threee years you would have a good type bird. Feather quality is important on a Rhode Island it needs to be tight non loose that is where you get that from the wyandotte cross.
He has a very nice head. bob