Thomas Kinkade's art work gets a boost in sales since his unexpected death

(CBS/AP) Since Thomas Kinkade's death, galleries that sell his work are reporting a surge in sales. Kinkade died at age 54 on Friday.

Pictures: Thomas Kinkade, "Painter of Light"
Read More: Thomas Kinkade autopsy scheduled for Monday

Outlets across the country say they're calling in extra help to handle unprecedented demand from customers placing orders in person, on the phone and online.

At Kinkade's original gallery in his hometown of Placerville, Calif., co-owner Nathan Ross says one Kinkade original sold over the weekend for $150,000.

John Vassallo, who owns five Kinkade galleries in New York and New Jersey, says sales on Saturday reached half his typical sales for the entire month of December.

Kinkade died Friday at his home in Los Gatos of what his family said was apparent natural causes.

An autopsy was performed Monday, but results are being withheld pending further testing.