Front or rear loading socket system

1. A front or rear loading lamp socket, said socket comprising:

a longitudinal axis and first and second planar surfaces, respectively, spaced apart along said longitudinal axis and orthogonal thereto;

a central, lamp receiving opening coaxially aligned with said longitudinal axis and extending through said first and second planar surfaces;

mounting means formed with said first planar surface for accepting, and electrically connecting a lamp, and maintenance means formed with said second planar surface for maintaining said lamp within said socket, said mounting means comprising:

a first pair of lamp contacts positioned in a first pair of cavities formed in said first planar surface; each of said lamp contacts comprising:

a U-shaped member having legs and a bight;

a first tab extending from said bight in a direction parallel to said bight; and

a second tab extending from said bight in a direction orthogonal to said bight;

a wire connector formed with said second tab; and

first lamp base receivers and second lamp base receivers formed in said second planar surface; and

first and second lamp base retainers associated with said second planar surface.